So says a rather fab article in the Times about the growth of the cake industry in the UK.

Britain is in the grip of cake mania. Last week the Women's Institute, spiritual home of the iced occasion fruitcake, reported that interest in its baking courses was up 60 per cent; one online retailer said it was selling a cookie cutter every 15 minutes; and on Monday the nation is to be galvanised into action with the start of National Baking Week.

Halloween at Crumbs and Doilies is all treat and no tricks. Perhaps you’d like to surprise a friend or victim in Central or South West London, or maybe you’re planning a scary soiree of your own. Either way, a box of our ghoulishly good mini cupcakes is sure to cause fright and delight.

You can order boxes for delivery (central London only) or collection from their special Halloween page!

I shall be trying to get to their stall on the 1st of November to get some, however we're doing a cupcake tour of Brighton/Worthing on Halloween for our wedding anniversary so I may not make it! Will try my hardest though as they do look great and they will definitely taste great too!!!

LOLA's BOO! cupcakes are now available. We have launched a scrumptious pumpkin flavour and you can mix this in a box with any of our other flavours. Each cupcake is topped with scary decoration, icing colours and fun sprinkles. As always, they're freshly baked on the day they're delivered amd make the perfect gift for clients, friends and family or any Halloween party!Your cupcake box will have a Halloween sticker and is beautifully tied for delivery or collection with a personal greeting.

You can order them from their online store, or you can buy them in Selfridges from 24th October till Halloween! I shall be heading to Selfridges to try and bag a pumpkin flavour one!

I noticed this magazine in my local supermarket a few weeks ago and finally remembered to Google it! I've never seen it before but then I do tend to notice things more when they're festooned with cupcakes!

From reading what's in it this month it seems to be mainly cakes and puddings so maybe I should buy it as I live in a house of pudding lovers!

I'm sure those are the cupcake cases I bought in Lakeland a few weeks ago!

Had a week off from blogging due to a husband with a habit for downloading viruses (grrr!) and typically it was cupcake-filled!!!!

London seemed to have gone cupcake mad last week - including a double page spread highlighting the best cupcakes in town in last Wednesday's London Lite. However my favourite discoveries happened in Next. Yes, Next..in fact Next Home Store in Tottenham Court Road which is FULL of cupcake goodies for Xmas!!!

Friday, 10 October 2008

Lovers of cupcakes, hold onto your frosting. Magnolia Bakery has opened a private party room in its Upper West Side space (which is certified kosher), setting the stage for kids (and adults too, who are we kidding) to get together and celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or just a passion for buttercream.

The space can accommodate up to 35 adults for a cocktail party and 24 for a seated event. Rental costs start at $500 for two hours and include a choice of two-dozen cupcakes or one of the bakery’s delectable cakes.

The Children’s Party Package ($750 for 90 minutes) includes a personalized Magnolia cake, as well as pizza, juice, milk and cupcakes and, most importantly, fun for twelve children (as well as treats, coffee and tea for the adults)!

We were already at a staggering THIRTY ONE cupcake places to try and visit when we go in March, when I happened upon a post I'd missed previously on one of my favourite blogs - Serious Eats New York. Now with the addition of Penny Licks in Williamsburg we are looking at 32 (aaaargh!!!) - to manage it we'll have to eat 4 cupcakes every day for the 8 days we're there!!!!

Thursday, 9 October 2008

No not an annoying programme with Billie Piper but those my favourite cupcake chaps from Outsider Tart are going to be on Rachel Allen's new Bake! series on UKTV Food at 9pm on Wednesday 15th October at 9pm.

Primrose Bakery were on episode 1 but I didn't see them - there is a cupcake recipe for some rather nice sounding lemon cupcakes on the site from them though.

Looking forward to seeing what the Davids cook for us on the 15th!

Also just HAD to mention the programme which is on after Bake!, Ace of Cakes, featuring the cakes of Charm City Cakes - on tonight's show they make a Fist of Rock cake for a wedding groom which featured the MANOWAR logo which I have tattooed on my arm!!! You can't see it in the pic but I can't find another! It also featured a HUGE cupcake tower!! Great show!

Sunday, 5 October 2008

From the ever fantastic Crumbs and Doilies, some great punk cupcakes that were made for a wedding - how cool!!

Also pictured, the cupcake of the month from C&D, mint choc chip - the description is making my mouth water!

Some of the greatest chocolate cupcakes we've ever had the pleasure to produce - Valrhona cocoa powder, Lescure AOC butter, you know the sort of thing, but this time with added Callebaut milk chocolate chips - heaps of 'em! All this, and a smooth buttercream icing made with organic peppermint extract. Marvellous.

I am going to try to get there next Saturday to see if they taste as good as they sound!

Finally, make sure you sign up for their halloween email which will give you a severed heads up on C&D's halloween spooktacular!!!

And my what a choice those lovely fellas at Outsider Tart are offering!! Seriously guys, with these cupcakes you are spoiling us!

Market Menu weekend 4th and 5th OctoberIt's Cupcake Day! We have several new flavors this weekend that we are excited to share.

UNFILLED

Red Velvet

Pumpkin with pumpkin cream cheese frosting

Apple – Cinnamon frosting

chocolate cherry cheesecake cupcake

Brownie Chunk Carrot

FILLED

Lane Cake

Espresso

Peach

Triple chocolate

Oatmeal with a butterscotch filling

Lime

Looking forward to seeing all our fellow cupcake lovers out this weekend.Have a great week,David and David

I've got a wedding party on Saturday night but I am planning a trip to Richmond in the day to pick up a few cupcakes - Manny's already made his choices! They all sound so yummy it'll be difficult to decide!!!! I think I'll definitely have to have a pumpkin one as its nearly Halloween!

UPDATE - I didn't make it on Saturday to cupcake day as there was engineering works on the train line which meant the journey was going to take about 4 hours and I had lots to do for the wedding! Pshaw!

About me...

Hi, I'm Anne, a self confessed cupcake addict. I always give my (occasionally brutally) honest opinion of cupcakes I try, and my aim is to stamp out bad cupcakes. I gave up my office job earlier this year and now earn my living baking, which I love.
If you have any questions please get in touch
iheartcupcakes@hotmail.co.uk